Beverage Cans

Beverage Can Standards

The CMI Voluntary Can and End Dimension Reference Manual* is a compilation of technical information developed by committees of the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI). Intended for use by CMI members and other interested industry representatives, this publication is available to the public as a service of the Can Manufacturers Institute. Links to a sampling of the information contained in the manual are provided below.

The entire Can Standards Manual is not provided here but can be ordered for $30 for CMI members and $50 for non-members. Pre-payment is required.

Dimensional Food Can Standards

NAME

DIMENSIONS

Total Capacity, avoir oz. of Water at 68degF

No. 2 Can Equivalent

6Z

202 x 308

6.08

0.295

8Z Short

211 x 300

7.93

0.386

8Z Tall

211 x 304

8.68

0.422

No. I (Picnic)

211 x 400

10.94

0.532

No. 211 Cylinder

211 x 414

13.56

0.660

No. 300

300 x 407

15.22

0.741

No. 300 Cylinder

300 x 509

19.40

0.945

No. I Tall

301 x 411

16.70

0.813

No. 303

303 x 406

16.88

0.821

No. 303 Cylinder

303 x 509

21.86

1.060

No. 2 Vacuum

307 x 306

14.71

0.716

No. 2

307 x 409

20.55

1.000

Jumbo

307 x 510

25.80

1.2537

No. 2 Cylinder

307 x 512

26.40

1.284

No. 1.25

401 x 206

13.81

0.672

No. 2.5

401 x 411

29.79

1.450

No. 3 Vacuum

404 x 307

23.90

1.162

No. 3 Cylinder

404 x 700

51.70

2.515

No. 5

502 x 510

59.10

2.8744

No. 10

603 x 700

109.43

5.325

The capacity of a 16-oz. glass jar is approximately No. 303 tin can.

The capacity of a No. 2.5 glass jar is approximately the same as the No. 2.5 tin can.

Explanation of Dimensional Food Can Standards

Metal can sizes used in industry in the U.S.A. are derived from nominal outside dimensions. Measurements are made of the empty round can before seaming on the packers' end.

While such dimensions may be expressed in inches, the custom is to use a conventionalized method in which three-digit numbers are used to express each dimension. The first digit indicates the number of whole inches in a dimension, and the second and third digits indicate the fractional inches as sixteenths of an inch. Thus:

303 x 406 means 3-3/16 x 4-6/16 inches

307 x 512 means 3-7/16 x 5-12/16 inches

603 x 700 means 6-3/16 x 7 inches

The first three-digit number describing a round can indicates the diameter measured across the outside of the chime on the seamed end. The second three-digit number indicates the overall height of the can with one end on.

In stating the dimensions of oval, obround, or obrotund cans, outside dimensions are used, the dimensions of the opening stated first, followed by the height. Thus, there will be three sets of figures: the first two being the long and short axis of the opening. Their interpretation in inches and sixteenths of an inch is the same as with round cans. An oval can might have the size given as 402 x 304 x 612, which would mean that the oval opening was 4-2/16 x 3-4/16 inches and the height was 6-12/16 inches.

In the table below the "No. 2 Equivalent" indicates the number of No. 2 cans equal to each of the cans designated in Column 1.

202 Can and End Specifications

ENDS

Curl Diameter

2.340 ± .006

Curl Height*

0.080 ± .005

Curl Opening Diameter

2.270 Min.

Countersink Depth

0.270 ± .005

Countersink Radius

0.020 Ref.

Countersink Diameter

1.913 Ref.

Chuck Wall Angle

12° Ref.

Panel Height

0.090 ± .005

End Flange Width

0.215 Ref.

*BMC .083 Nominal

CANS

Body Outside Diameter*

2.602 ± .007

Flange Radius

0.050 Ref.

Flange Width

0.082 ± .008

Flange Can Height

4.812 ± .015

Flange Diameter

2.255 Max.

Neck Plug Diameter

2.063 ± .007

Neck Seaming Clearance

0.120 Min.

Headspace

0.470 ± .020

*ANC 2.600 Nominal

*CMI does not provide either an expressed or implied warranty as to the manual’s viability or accuracy